Issues of mobility and access are central to developing sustainable and equitable societies. In a new Think Piece from VREF, researchers Gina Porter and Lanoi Maloiy invite us to explore mobility from a different vantage point, introducing “relationality” as a valuable perspective for both research and policy.
The paper addresses the shared challenge of understanding the everyday practices of how people travel. It presents the concept of ‘relationality’ – a lens for understanding that focuses on the connections and relationships that shape our journeys. This includes the relationships between people (family, employers), between people and things (such as digital technologies and vehicles), and between people and places (like schools and shops).
By “thinking relationally,” the authors suggest that we can better situate individual journeys within their wider contexts. This provides a richer and more nuanced picture of mobility practices and their outcomes, particularly in urban, low-income contexts in the Global South. The paper explores what this perspective might mean for future research, as well as for the complex web of relationships that influences transport policy.
About the VREF Think Piece Series
The VREF Think Piece series is intended to foster new dialogue and reflection. The format gives authors an opportunity to present state-of-the-art work on a specific topic, while also providing space for critical reflection based on their own expertise and perspectives. In this way, a Think Piece can complement traditional scientific papers by encouraging broader discussion.
VREF is pleased to share this important contribution from Gina Porter and Lanoi Maloiy. We hope the work will serve as a valuable resource and a starting point for further discussion among researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders engaged in the work of creating sustainable and accessible transport for all.